Control bar for downhill skiing

ABSTRACT

A device to assist in the teaching of downhill skiing which is fabricated of a resilient material and is configured and graphically adorned to encourage the proper positioning of the upper body and hands to maintain control.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to downhill skiing, and more particularly to a device that encourages the correct body position when downhill skiing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is recognized that in order to maximize control and to improve safety it is necessary for a downhill skier to maintain a body position wherein the hands and upper body are facing the downhill slope. Various devices have been introduced to assist in teaching skiing and in giving the beginning or learning skier the necessary skills and experience to ski independently.

Among the devices known to the current inventor include U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,444, granted to Parkenson, which includes a ski steering apparatus controlled by the skier to assist in turning and controlling the skis, but would inhibit independent leading, rotation and angulation of the skis.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,227 granted to Born teaches the concept of a teacher or trainer skiing with an inexperienced skier, wherein the student is supported by a rigid handle member which is connected to an apparatus controlled by an instructor, thus restricting the upper body and prevents free body movements to maintain balance.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,156 granted to Rohe teaches the concept of a rigid control member for a trainer or teacher who skis backward and a learner or trainee at the opposite end of the rigid member which has handles and a body support. A turn by the instructor would force the upper body of the student to face across the hill.

While the prior art may have value, it is noted that these inventions include devices that force the skiers to keep their hands in front of their bodies; however, most of these devices are rigid, complex structures connected to the skis, or even other skiers. These devices impede the upper body movement necessary for balance and control and leave the student skier in awkward and rigid positions, preventing the ski instructor from teaching necessary independent rotation and angulation and the flexibility of the upper body of the skier.

Most professional ski instructors who teach young children agree that young children should not use ski poles at beginner or novice level. Not having ski poles to occupy their hands, children and many skiers with disabilities have difficulties. They are not capable of keeping their hands level and in front of their bodies, helping to maintain control; instead, their hands and arms often wave about while trying to turn the skis and keep in balance. Therefore, there is need for a safe means to control the hands and arms of a learning skier and to encourage the correct stance and orientation to the slopes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the goal of the present invention to provide a training device for maintaining correct body stance, part of which is to keep the hands and arms comfortably in front of the body while skiing, while simultaneously encouraging the upper body to face downhill.

Most professional ski instructors who teach young children do not recommend the use of ski poles until the individual has demonstrated adequate control of the skis and is ready to learn more advanced techniques which require ski poles. The present invention assists in proper control without the risk inherent with young children using ski poles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the stance control bar.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the stance control bar.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a third embodiment of the stance control bar.

FIG. 4 is a prospective view of a fourth embodiment of the stance control bar.

FIG. 5A is a profile view of the skier's correct stance.

FIG. 5B is a frontal view of a skier using a correctly held stance control bar.

FIG. 5C is a top view of a skier using a correctly held stance control bar.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a skier with his upper body oriented in the direction of the downhill slope.

FIGS. 7A-7F illustrates how the skier's upper body would be oriented in the direction of the downhill slope throughout a turn.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As seen in FIG. 1, the device consists of a soft, resilient cylindrical bar with tapered and contoured ends that serve as right and left-hand grips 1. The midsection of the bar has clearly defined graphics containing one or more large arrowheads 2 and the words “DOWN HILL” 3 AND “FALL LINE” 4. These graphics are visual cues that direct the skier to orient the bar in the direction of the downhill slope, also referred to as the “fall line” in skiing terminology.

The term “fall line” is taught and used consistently by professional ski instructors. The “fall line” refers to a line down the slope which is most directly downhill; the path a ball travels if it were to roll freely following the contours of the slope. The term “downhill” is also used with immature skiers who may have difficulty understanding the term “fall line”.

The cylindrical bar is made of extruded, flexible, closed cell plastic foam, approximately 60 cm in length and 3.8 cm in diameter. The handgrip 1 is shaped by shaving or abrading the plastic foam bar. The printed graphics label 5 is moisture-resistant and is applied and sealed onto the center portion of the cylinder.

Reference is now to FIG. 2, wherein the tubular bar is made of extruded, flexible closed cell plastic foam which is hollow. The inside diameter of the tube matches the diameter of a stiffening rod 6. The purpose of the stiffening rod is to add rigidity to the tube when made of a softer, less rigid plastic foam. The stiffening rod 6 can be made of any lightweight, flexible and resilient material and could be solid or tubular.

As seen, the stiffening rod is slightly shorter in length than the foam bar and is located within the bar's cavity. The exposed holes on each end of the bar 7 are permanently plugged by devices 8 to seal in the stiffener. Shaping the hand grips and applying the printed graphics is identical to FIG. 1.

Attention is directed to FIG. 3, wherein the device is made of an injected molded plastic foam with a surface finish that is smooth and printable. Its contoured shape is the same as in the first embodiment, wherein the hand grips are molded into each end and the graphics are printed directly on the midsection of the bar by offset, pad printing, silkscreen, transfer or other method.

Attention is now had to FIG. 4, wherein the device can be manufactured by either injection molding or vacuum forming, and is made of firm, resilient plastic material. The hollow interior may include reinforcement bulkheads 9 to control flex. This contoured shape is similar to the first embodiment, with defined handgrips molded into each end. Slightly raised graphics in the midsection of the bar include type, arrows, symbols and a logo, and are painted with contrasting colors from the bar 10.

The device may also be made of injected plastic foam with a firm surface. Its shape and raised graphics are the same as in the fourth embodiment.

The stance control bar is primarily used with children who are beginner and novice level skiers. The device is designed to teach and encourage skiers to keep both hands out in front of their bodies while skiing. This very important aspect of a skier's stance is essential in performing the movements required in downhill skiing. The correct skier's stance is illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C.

The stance control bar is held horizontally in front of the body, with its graphic arrows pointing in the direction of the downhill slope, as shown in FIG. 6.

The stance control bar trains the skier to maintain correct upper body orientation when moving and changing direction on a slope. The skier's upper body (hips, torso, arms, shoulders, hands and head) remain oriented facing downhill, even when their lower body (legs, feet and skis) rotate right and left when making turns or stopping, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7F.

Although a preferred embodiment has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes and modifications and substitutions could be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims which follow: 

1. A learning aid for downhill skiers, comprising: an elongated portable, flexible, resilient guidance element, said guidance element being approximately 60 cm long and including a hand grip at each end and instructional graphics encouraging the proper usage of the aid, whereby the user's hands are appropriately located and the possibility of injury to the user or those nearby is minimized.
 2. A learning aid as in claim 1, wherein the hand grips are of a reduced diameter.
 3. A learning aid as in claim 1, wherein the guidance element is reinforced.
 4. A learning aid as in claim 1, wherein the guidance element is sealed.
 5. A learning aid as in claim 1, wherein the guidance element is of closed cell foam.
 6. A learning aid as in claim 1, wherein the graphics are of a contrasting color to the guidance element. 